Top 10: All-Time Japanese Cars

Japan’s designers and engineers didn’t invent cars, they redefined them time and time again. A look at the 10 most important cars they’ve produced is long overdue, but is by no means easy to compile. With dozens of deserving vehicles, some great cars and sentimental favorites have to be excluded.

As for the survivors, they’re milestones from their manufacturers. These all-time Japanese cars were (and may still be) influential in and beyond their segment. It’s this impact (not performance, price or total sale) that determined their rank. Each car’s initial model year is listed (whether or not it was imported to the U.S. right away), and you’ll also see which years are standouts.

Without further hesitation, we'd like to present the top 10 all-time Japanese cars.

Number 10

Toyota Corolla

1966

For over 40 years, the Toyota Corolla has been a reliable, if unsexy, way to get around. As one of the first cars to justify the need for a sixth number on its odometer, buyers didn’t hesitate when Toyota brought the car to the U.S. in 1968. They made it the No. 2-selling import just two years later — and it didn’t stop there. Corolla was the world’s best-selling car from 1974 to 1977. With tens of millions of Corollas on the world’s roads, early impressions of the new 2009 model suggest it could be the best yet, making it one of the all-time Japanese cars around.

Number 9

Honda Civic

1973

The Accord may be Honda’s breadwinner today, but the Civic’s success enabled the company to introduce the bigger model in 1976. What began as not much more than a reinterpreted Austin Mini soon became a legend. All along this all-time Japanese car has stood for comfort, value, refinement, and reliability. Body styles from wagons to two-seat targas have been made, but the most desirable unmodified car for enthusiasts could well be the fiery 2008 Type R sedan — which has actually been withheld from the U.S. market, sadly.

Number 8

Toyota 2000GT

1967

If you love Supras and MR2s, thank Toyota for first producing the 2000GT, their first real sports car, from 1967 to 1970. It set over a dozen endurance and speed records, and this was reflected in the sizable sticker price of over $7,000. It also happened to be a Bond car, appearing in You Only Live Twice, almost in its natural form. The two convertibles made for the film allegedly came to be since Sean Connery was too tall for the coupe (likely the inspiration for other owners to follow suit). Despite the low total production run of 337 cars, the 2000GT’s impact still resonates today, with decent examples commanding quarter-million dollar prices.

Number 7

Subaru Impreza WRX

1992

We’ll give the Subaru stereotypes a respite from mention, but except for the rare SVX and to a lesser extent the XT, even remotely sporty cars are not what Subaru used to produce. That changed with the WRX. Inspired by rally-winning Imprezas, the successful and potent WRX was kept from our shores for a decade, finally arriving here for 2002 — though its influence was apparent much sooner. The Subaru Impreza WRX sent a clear message that a sports car wasn’t necessarily defined by two doors and a big engine. Each model has its fans, but many regard the 2004-2005 STi models as the best-looking and most fun to drive.

Number 6

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

1992

It’s no breakthrough to see the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evolution ranked side-by-side due to their highly competent and competitive nature. Like the Subie, we also had a long wait until 2003 to legally get our hands on an Evo. Through it all, the street-legal rally car delivers a bit more of a raw experience — which is a good thing in its class. Loyalists have no problem making a good thing better, tuning their cars to run with or even outrun exotics. Based on out-of-the-box prowess and style, the 2008 Evolution X seems to be the greatest to date, helping it rank as one of our top 10 all-time Japanese cars.

Which vehicle made it to the top of our top 10 all-time Japanese cars list?